MLB veteran thinks it’s ‘stupid’ the A’s are playing in Sacramento

As a new era of Athletics baseball begins on Monday night in Sacramento, a mix of reactions are expected from fans, media, and players.

While many fans and media have already made their feelings known regarding the A’s departing Oakland and playing at least three seasons at Sutter Health Park, a minor-league stadium in Sacramento, opposing players will begin to share their thoughts as they visit California’s capital city.

The Athletics will play the Chicago Cubs in their inaugural game at Sutter Health Park on Monday, where both teams will experience the updates and renovations that many hope will hold the AAA park to a major-league standard.

While updated clubhouses, expanded dugouts, and many other amenities have been developed during the offseason, some opposing players are already voicing their concerns about the A’s pit stop in Sacramento as they look forward to building a new home in Las Vegas.

In an interview with USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, longtime MLB veteran relief pitcher Ryan Brasier didn’t hold back about playing in Sacramento’s minor-league facility–especially with the Oakland Coliseum less a two-hour drive away.

Athletics start Sacramento era tonight with visiting players already upset playing in minor league ballpark https://t.co/R73iM8nkwS

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 31, 2025

“I think it’s so stupid that we have to play at a Triple-A stadium,” Brasier said in his interview with Nightengale.

“When they have maybe not a perfectly good ballpark in Oakland, but a big-league ballpark. I would have much rather play in Oakland than Sacramento, but I guess it doesn’t really matter what we want. I really don’t get not playing in Oakland opposed to playing in Sacramento.”

It will be interesting to see the different–or similar–perspectives that visiting players will have this season as they experience playing at Sutter Health Park.

Brasier is the first, and likely will not be the last, to share his disdain for playing in a minor-league ballpark this year, and the Cubs are one of many teams that will arrive to face the A’s in their new–and temporary–home.

More on the Athletics & Sutter Health Park

The Athletics formally begin the home portion of their Sacramento era when they host the Chicago Cubs on Monday night at Sutter Health Park in the first-ever Major League Baseball game in the California capital.

A’s right-hander Joey Estes (7-9, 5.01 ERA), a California native, will get the honor of making the game’s first pitch. He will be opposed by Cubs righty Ben Brown (0-1, 6.75).

All 14,014 tickets have been sold at 10,624-seat Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento. Those who don’t have seats will be finding space on the lawn behind the outfield fence.

The A’s are expected to spend three seasons in at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento as they await the construction of their permanent home along the Las Vegas Strip. They will share the stadium with the Sacramento River Cats, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.

Read more below:

Sellout crowd awaits as A’s make Sacramento debut against Cubs

Upcoming 2025 Athletics Schedule

• Monday, March 31st-Wednesday, April 2nd – vs. Chicago Cubs
• Friday, April 4th-Sunday, April 6th – @ Colorado Rockies
• Monday, April 7th-Wednesday, April 9th – vs. San Diego Padres
• Friday, April 11th-Sunday, April 13th – vs. New York Mets
• Tuesday, April 15th-Thursday, April 17th – Chicago White Sox

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